u/orbitolinid

After lots of searching I think I finally found a running shoe that actually fits, the Asics Novablast 5. Very wide toebox, lots of space for wide, flat and high arched feet, good heel drop, lightweight.

One problem: I splash my feet flat onto the ground and don't really roll them off due to a muscle condition, meaning the bounce is mostly directed upwards, not forward. Are there other shoes i should have a look at that are overall less bouncy and create an easier forward momentum, possible plated? Been searching through runrepeat, but the all important metric of width at arch is not listed. Obviously only recreational running.

Tested so far:

• new balance freshfoam x880 v15. Managed to find a female version in wide. Heeldrop, despite being low feels good, and stiffness is perfect, love the smooth transition into the rocker. But the elastic holding the tongue pulls up the insole, which presses painfully against my arch. Basically: shoe should be wider there. Not sure whether the male version is wider as it's not available. As are most wide shoe versions overall. I want this shoe with the dimensions of the Novablast!

• Asics Nimbus 28: heel drop too low and very soft metatarsal head area, meaning I splash my foot down, forefoot ends up in a deep bog before rocker starts. End of smooth movement.

• Adidas Supernova Glide: Same tongue/rubber problem as NB. Plus boring. Like the stiffness though.

• Adidas Adizero Boston: too unstable.

• Asics Nimbus 27: Too heavy and soft.

I have a return flight booked. For the flight back I'd like to book a seat because overnighter and I prefer to lean against the window. Nearly have enough miles for the seat, but only after the flight out. Sure I can just pay those 22 EUR as well but as I'll never get enough miles with any airline to do something useful with I might as well...

So yeah, I am born with a mild muscle condition. I'm able to build stamina and strength but my muscles burn badly and tire after 5 or so contractions; still despite 25 years of exercising. I exercise quite a bit within my limitation. Notice that my muscle function and energy levels are substantially better when using magnesium, and the opposite is true with calcium. I'm able to run a bit with magnesium. Found out by sheer coincidence (pollen allergy) that sudafed seems to have about the same effect as magnesium, just a lot better. Like my running pace has just improved by 0.5min/km, breathing is relaxter, I can run faster with the same heartrate and I seem to have more energy. Normally I hit the wall from 43 minutes as my body has problems accessing aerobic energy and with I can run somewhat longer. So that's that. As I read it acts on alpha1-adrenergetic receptors among other things I tried midodrine, but no effect at all. I know some people in the metabolic muscle community use salbutamol/albuterol not only for their lungs, but also for muscle function, but I get too bad side effects from a single puff. Can't access tablets here.

So basically, half a sudafed enables me to run quite well (still a slow runner). I'd try 1/4 but the way they are sold here that's not possible. Side effects: at rest my heartrate and blood pressure are unchanged and low. When running HR seems to be a bit lower at same intensity as without, however, my HR is super high and likely artificially elevated to compensate anyway. Exercise tests show I only have training zone 4 and 5 when running, even when running slower than walking. I only have energy to exercise in the evening. I'm still able to sleep restfully after running on sudafed. Not sure whether blood pressure is higher when running than without.

So yeah... I guess I have a problem: I found something that enables me to work off my restlessness and urge to run, yet I should probably not take it 3-4x per week.

Doing a group tour in Turkmenistan soon. I'll have a full night and day in Ashgabat by myself before the tour starts.

a) I'm sure the tour guide has some idea on good money exchange options. But I'll need some cash for the first day for food, maybe transport. Can I get cash at the airport in Ashgabat, or at the hotel? How much would I need for a day, and exchange from EUR (easier) or USD (more difficult)?

b) (e)Sim: I read it's fairly difficult to get a simcard. wowesim seem to offer an esim for Turkmenistan, though I do wonder whether it will actually work, or will be blocked. Just need a bit of data every now and then, provided there's some. Any other options?

Wie komme ich an auslaendisches Geld, in diesem Fall USD wenn meine Bank (DKB) dieses nicht mehr anbietet? Ich habe jetzt ein paar andere Banken hier angerufen, und als Nichtkunde habe ich da keine Moeglichkeit. Einen Geldautomaten mit USD gibt es hier in der Stadt nicht. Ich brauche eine etwas groessere Menge fuer eine Reise in ein Land welches als Wechselgeld vor allem USD akzeptiert und wo ich kein Geld vom Automaten abheben kann. Moechte eher die hohen Wechselkursgebuehren am Flughafen meiden.